The Takeaway: Iran nuclear diplomacy creeps forward in Moscow and Paris Also: Taliban’s success inspires Syrian jihadis; Russia’s delicate diplomacy in Syria and Turkey; Nile dam parley peters out; IDF snared in political rift; Egypt’s Avenue of the Sphinxes; and more … in only about 1,500 words. By Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell
Trial begins for 20 linked to Islamic State terror attacks in Paris The main defendant in the case, Salah Abdeslam, told the court on Wednesday that he was a "soldier" of the Islamic State. By Al-Monitor Staff
Syrian forces enter war-torn Daraa, opposition alleges rights abuses The Syrian government and rebel groups recently reached a cease-fire deal in the southern city that played a large role in the 2011 uprising. By Al-Monitor Staff
Houthis under fire for arresting wedding singer in Yemeni capital There are calls in Sanaa to form a union to defend the rights of singers, amid ongoing abuses and arrests targeting them by the Houthi rebel authorities. By Naseh Shaker
After Afghanistan pullout, US pursues long-distance diplomacy from Qatar Without a diplomatic presence on the ground in Kabul, the United States will engage with the Taliban from a remote mission in Doha. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Turkey’s powerful top cleric called to tone down or resign Ever since he delivered the first sermon at the opening of Hagia Sophia as a mosque in July 2020 with a sword in hand, Ali Erbas has been on a meteoric rise of visibility. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture
Syrian Kurdish parties feel abandoned by US in wake of Turkish-backed attack Turkey stepped up its attacks against Kurds in Syria, which raised concerns among the Kurdish forces over the US and Russian roles. By Sultan al-Kanj
Iraqi PM vows to fix Kirkuk security issues after gruesome Islamic State attack Following an Islamic State attack in which over a dozen Iraqi policemen were killed, the prime minister criticized military leaders’ “shortcomings” and pledged to address the issue. Meanwhile, counterterrorism operations continue in the same disputed province to prevent further attacks. By Shelly Kittleson
Egypt, Jordan, Syria agree to export gas to crisis-stricken Lebanon Syria also agreed to transfer Jordanian electricity to Lebanon, while Iran already sent fuel. By Al-Monitor Staff
Quds Force commander says Iran will take 'realistic' approach in Afghanistan Iran must strike a balance between accepting the reality of the Taliban and supporting Shiite and other ethnic groups. By Al-Monitor Staff
Taliban rules out relations with Israel A Taliban spokesman told a Russian news outlet that the Afghan Islamist group wants relations with other Asian states, but "of course" not Israel. By Al-Monitor Staff
Will political tension in Ethiopia benefit Egypt's position on Nile dam dispute? Egypt is patiently following up on the internal political and military developments in Ethiopia before taking any new position on the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. By Ayah Aman In Cairo, reporting on politics and culture
Syrian jihadist group works to attract tribes in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has been paying more attention to Arab tribes and clans to benefit from them in expanding its influence in social circles and in recruitment processes. By Khaled al-Khateb
Syrian tribe forms Shura Council in Idlib with blessing from jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib demanded all the tribes in the areas it controls to coordinate with it to form separate Shura councils, with the aim of controlling the decisions taken by these tribes and expanding its popular base. By Mohammed Hardan
Iranian commander warns Iraqi Kurdish government about harboring opposition The IRGC's rare warning has fueled fears about civilian casualties in the Kurdish villages stretching on the Iran-Iraq border. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraqi protest groups will sit out October elections Iraqi protest groups, which have emerged since October 2019, are calling for wholesale reform of the Iraqi political system. By Mustafa Saadoun